Official Fridge Transformation Thread

[strnge]

That thing is sweet!

 

[hguerrero]

i hate you and your kick-*** fridge!

 

[Danimal]

The Porsche fridge:

I dig the Porsche fridge. I'm assuming that started life as a wine refrigerator? I have heard that those generally don't keep things very cold, have you found this to be true?

After spending time in Switzerland, I was amazed at the popularity of Coca-Cola Zero (called Coke Zero here in the US)! Also, Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke here) and Rivella were two I found interesting. Who would think to make a cola from a dairy product? Only the crafty Swiss!

-Dan

 

[USMCBay]

Okay... this isn't a Fridge but I re-insulated my Coke Machine - the insulation that came out was like matted dog hair vs. the new High efficiency insulation. I literally had to lay the box down and stand in the box and let it just slowly go down there just was NO room. It never bunched up as the box was going in - I taped the edges and it worked great. It's tight, its packed and it should hold a good temp.

I've since blasted then rubberized the bottom pan for moisture control - then added purple LED lights to each bottle rack. It should look good once I get the door painted and back on... I just primed the box this weekend. It will be Harley Orange, Black, and Aluminum Diamond Plate...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Just a little word of advice on those thinking of using older refrigerators.

The energy consumption of a 20 year old refrigerator is going to be at least TRIPLE that of a new one.

The average operating cost of a typical new 18 cu ft top freezer refrigerator is something on the order of $45.00 per year based on the 2007 national average price of electricty.

Triple that would be just shy of $150.00 per year and if your old beater was a larger refrigerator the cost of operation only goes up.

A better plan is to buy a new Energy Star refrigerator.

I don't agree.

About two years ago when the 1979 Frigidaire that had belonged to my parents died (tiny copper freon line broke), I moved the horrible bronze 1985 Kenmore from the house to the shop and bought a new Whirlpool Gold (energy star) for the house. Very limited on space in the house, so the new one (from the scratch and dent line at Lowes) happened to be perfect, a little taller and deeper but not by much. I got the shock of my life when I discovered the new frigid had an amp draw equal to the old Kenmore (very slightly smaller) and the house electric bill did not change one iota. The bill on the shop went up, the old Kenmore consumed more than the old Frigidaire did.

Recently the power bill skyrocketed on the shop and I discovered that old bronze Kenmore was running alot. The defrost timer was inop and the coils froze over, and the bi-metallic temp switch in the coils was also bad. About $30 in parts later the shops power bill is back down, lower than ever because I cleaned out the coils underneath and made a new aluminum sheet back cover to replace the loose falling off cardboard one, and also sealed up underneath. The condenser fan now pulls air over the condenser like it is supposed to.

Charles

 

[Gonzalo Bravo]

there is mine. Nowadays, full on Belgian beers

 

[milou]

I dig the Porsche fridge. I'm assuming that started life as a wine refrigerator? I have heard that those generally don't keep things very cold, have you found this to be true?

After spending time in Switzerland, I was amazed at the popularity of Coca-Cola Zero (called Coke Zero here in the US)! Also, Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke here) and Rivella were two I found interesting. Who would think to make a cola from a dairy product? Only the crafty Swiss!

-Dan

Hi Dan,

Nope, it's a regular fridge with a glass door and even some internal lighting system. On the temperature front, it gets quite cold.

The Coke zero is very popular here in Switzerland.

And the Coronas are a nostalgic souvenir from my college days in the US in the late Eighties.....

 

[hoopty388]

i recently found an old fridge that is about the size of a mini fridge. I am thinking of putting the insides from a newer fridge in it. any ideas or links to this being done?

 

[whelenfan]

I love all of the fridges! I hate to admit that I will more than likely get a new one for keeping "cold stuff" in out in the workshop, but I have thought about getting an older one for storing gun powder and primers in. It won't be plugged in, but I can rig it so that it may be locked and the relatively controlled environment would be pretty ideal.

 

[Bolted]

I thought I would throw my hat in the ring on this one. No budget for a real gas pump so I did the cool fuel kit back in 2006. I think this company went belly up. I set the gas prices for the sixties, back when I was a kid. The only fuel it holds is adult libations.

 

[glockaddict]

here is mine....

 

[Bellicose]

One i painted up a couple weeks ago. ALL PAINT no stickers.

The white that goes across the door above the Harley logo is actually the reflection of the guttering of my house behind me when i was taking the pic's.

 

[Romanova]

Any problems having a fridge in a garage that gets very hot? Are they still able to keep things cool without killing themselves?

 

[Mr Long Hood]

Any problems having a fridge in a garage that gets very hot? Are they still able to keep things cool without killing themselves?

Hey Tyler --> this is Houston, better aircondition that garage.

 

[kbs2244]

If the fridge dosn't havs a fan blowing across the fins, get one.
One of those little 3 inch computer fans are quiet and will move enough air.
Tie it into the compressor power so they run together.

 

[Zengineer]

The old harvest gold Viking from my old shop back in 2003...

 

[jkherd]

How about this, not mine but this is what everyone is talking about, I am doing mine this way this coming spring.

These kits were available several years ago, I believe they went out of business some time ago.

 

[nonhog]

These kits were available several years ago, I believe they went out of business some time ago.

I have one new in the box still, thinking I'll e-bay it. Between my old fridge and my RC cola machine can't imagine using it.

 

[crewchief888]

what the hey i'll play

fridge from my old shop,
she died a horrible death after 2 really cold winters in an unheated shop.


even had a microwave

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Awesome '50's look! I have NO pictures of it, since it's not at my house, but we have a 1957 Frigidaire that's currently _still working_ at my sister's house in Austin. It's a freezer under unit, and it mid-1950's PINK. Awesome, and kind of growls like being in an old Greyhound station when running. After all these years, it runs better than I do, and we're the same age.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Well I finally finished restoring my fridge, it didn't turn out red like I had planed, but ''turquoise'' blue.

I forgot the ''during'' pic's

 

[CrashTestDummy]

We have a 4-door version of that in our house. It's the TV and DVD player stand. It's cool, because you can open the doors, and just slam them shut. The latches self-close.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

We don't keep this one in the garage but the wife and kids use it for books, yarn, and whatever other junk they can stuff in it.

1910 ice box.

<SNIP>

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Any problems having a fridge in a garage that gets very hot? Are they still able to keep things cool without killing themselves?

While it probably shortens the life of the compressor and such, there's no issues with keeping things cold in the fridge as long as you keep the door seal clean and lubed with silicone grease. We recently replaced our old garage unit after we had it about seven years. It was a gimme from a friend who had it for about 10 years before that. Compressor burned up, but I think that's due to the power issues we had after Ike. The unit lasted until the next summer.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

 

[motorbreath53]

Mine is pretty lack-luster on the outside... just all black.

BUT! It is plumbed for filtered water and ice, and has plenty of room for the "time to clean up" beverages as well...

...and of course, chilled glasses in the freezer drawer below...

 

[bcgamecock]

This is my 1994 refrigerator that has been designated the garage fridge since about 2004. No fancy paint jobs--just lots of decals. We have a three-car attached that we use for two cars and lots of stuff. Most of the stuff is my fishing stuff, so the refrigerator fits in much better now.

 

[bcgamecock]

Mine is pretty lack-luster on the outside... just all black.

BUT! It is plumbed for filtered water and ice, and has plenty of room for the "time to clean up" beverages as well...

...and of course, chilled glasses in the freezer drawer below...

Nice! Love how neatly you have all the drinks lined up.

 

[A29]

It was a fridge once upon a time.

 

[White 99]

very nice. Any idea what year it was made?

 

[Ripped]

Many nice ideas here. I'm not sure what to do with mine. Turf it and get a more efficient one, paint it to original, flame it, make it something else, I'm not sure.

The thing I don't like about it, is the fact, when it's defrosted, it leaks water all over the floor. And i have a nice new VCT floor to deal with now

 

[jhelrey]

If I had a fridge.... I would polish it up like a guy did to his grill on another forum I belong to.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Working on this as we speak. I started out as just cleaning it out, and then it started raining outside, and I got carried away. Go figure...

I'll post more pics when I'm done.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Got most of the black on, still need to finish-cut it in.

 

[JC23]

CrashTest,

That T-Bird color of your fridge is SO-O-O-O calling out for some pinstriping or custom paint work. I can hear hit from here! Nice job!

 

[strnge]

Any more fridges out there?

 

[Jeffers09]

I have this freezer I recently acquired throiugh Kijiji. I love it and it works great....the problem is that I do not know what year it is and it is driving me completely bananas....somebody please help me figure this out...I think it is early '50's.

thanks.

 

[freeskier]

i have a 50's frigidair in he barn full of beers now, best addition thus far

 

[chevy2]

Here's mine & I don't want to hear how this is a outdated & a energy hog

 

[FatFenderBowTie]

My old fridge that is in need of a re-do, built it about 10 years ago and the last move wasn't too gentle on the paint...holds 3 kegs (hence 3 taps).

And the Red Dog isn't cause I am a fan of the beer (don't think you can even get it here anymore), but a fan of the dog!

Also my old icebox used on the back deck for various storage...

 

[58Yeoman]

We had an old 50's style stove and fridge in the basement kitchen when we bought our house in '08. The fridge went first; the electric company bought it for $35, and the stove left us last year. It would've been nice to use the fridge in the shop, but at less than 1000 sq. ft, I need the room. I just bought a mini fridge last weekend, and will have to doll it up later when I have more time. The old fridge worked great and ran quietly, but the door seal was shot. I kept the crisper drawers from it.

 

[sscustom]

wow cool fridges here

 

[89GLH]

Do you guys just prime base clear yours? No need for electrostatic paint?